Hidden Buttons in iOS 6.1 Lend Weight to Apple Radio Service Rumors - MacRumors
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Hidden Buttons in iOS 6.1 Lend Weight to Apple Radio Service Rumors

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9to5Mac reports finding files for radio buttons in the iPad Music app in iOS 6.1 that could lend weight to last year's rumors that Apple plans to launch a Pandora-style service, providing streaming access to music which could then be purchased if desired.

ipad-radio
The files, first found by iAust1n, include a series of eight "radio" buttons, several of which have the word 'buy' in the filenames, suggesting plans to allow the purchase of music tracks from within the app. Interestingly, the piece notes that the files are found only on the iPad, not the iPhone.

The files are called some variation of “radio button” with an icon that looks similar to the radio icon that used to be in iTunes for Mac (it was traded for a more prominent top location in iTunes 11 without the antena tower). The iPad music app currently doesn’t have any radio functionality so our first thought was that Apple would be adding an iTunes-like ‘traditional’ streaming radio to the iPad.

More interestingly, the name of these button files and are labelled with ‘buy’ in the filename which could imply exciting new functionality.

Bloomberg had suggested a Q1 2013 launch date for the service, although follow-up reports had indicated that negotiations with record labels were moving slowly. With files perhaps related to such a service now apparently in place in iOS 6.1, Apple may be laying the groundwork for a launch once it is able to strike content deals.

Top Rated Comments

InuNacho Avatar
InuNacho
172 months ago
Instead of some internet radio they could just stick a normal radio in them like every other smartphone in the world.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lostngone Avatar
lostngone
172 months ago
Eiffel Tower?

Yes, only French radio stations will be available via this service. :D
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B
bwolfcale
172 months ago
Eiffel Tower?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
testcard Avatar
testcard
172 months ago
Radio tower?

Ostrich foot?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
decimortis Avatar
decimortis
172 months ago
Eiffel Tower?
That's clearly a giraffe.

D.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jetson Avatar
Jetson
172 months ago
Do you have evidence to suggest "chances are"? You may be right, but modern cellular networks are more sophisticated and multi-layered (LTE, 3G, 2G) than FM/AM radio. You're not wrong, it would be nice to have both, but I don't think anyone is betting that we'll get absolutely no service.
"Survival Radio: What Will Work


In any type of disaster (Hurricane, Earthquake, Economic Collapse, Nuclear War, EMP Blast/Solar Event, etc) your typical means of communications (Mobile Phones, Land Lines, Internet) will most likely be severed or severely impaired.

I know from reading about past disasters and being in the middle of 9/11 myself that when disaster strikes, using your mobile phone (which we are all so heavily dependent on) can be a frustrating experience to say the least. If you have ever tried to dial out and received the message “All Circuits Are Busy” then you know what I am talking about.

Aside from smoke signals, there are modern options to consider... The three most readily available are GMRS (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GMRS) or FRS (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Radio_Service) radios, CB radios (http://www.blogger.com/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CB_radio), and Ham radio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ham_radio)."

My point is that the iPad/iPod/iPhone are already all in one devices. But not having an AM/FM/Shortwave receiver is a dreadful shortcoming. In an emergency the device would become a doorstop when it could be a lifeline. It was a purposeful decision by Apple to leave out REAL radio - not internet "radio", which should be changed.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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